Sierra Leone Develops Additional Market for Cassava Produce

African Farmer at work

Sierra Leone in its effort to market it cassava produce has inaugurated the Cassava Value Chain Development thereby bringing the number of processing centers commissioned under the project in that country to six.

This is made possible through the efforts of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) -the initiator and financier of the project, with location in Walihun, about eight hours drive from the capital Freetown in the southern part of the country.

Will Ease Pains associated with Traditional Methods

Speaking on this latest development, President, the National Association of Farmers in Sierra Leone, Mr. Olu John said this’ll ease the pains associated with the traditional or manual system of cassava processing adding that it’ll also help resource poor farmers in that region to process cassava roots to several products including gari, and fuf

 He noted that in December 2009, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) – the implementing agency, and the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), commissioned five cassava processing sites to ease the burden of processing.

He said that additional markets were created for cassava products and more importantly generate wealth in local communities through increased cassava production stressing that the five centers were Gbotima processing center in Bo District; Njala Agricultural Research Center, in Moyamba District; Adamaris cassava processing center in Bombali District. Others are UPWARDS cassava processing center in Port Loko District; and another center in Waterloo in the Western Rural District.

 According to John, the farmers were glad over these projects added that they’re making request for more in order to process and boost cassava production. “Beneficiaries of the project commended IITA-CFC West Africa for putting the project in their community.”

In his own contribution the leader of Walihun Farmers Association, Mr. Samuel Konde said that the project would turn around the fortunes of cassava farmers in the community.

 “We are happy because help has finally come.”

 He further stated: “In Sierra Leone, cassava is a key crop because of its ease of cultivation and culinary qualities such as straightforwardness of preparation. Usually, the roots are either boiled or eaten in raw form. Cassava leaves are also a delicacy that is served with several dishes.”

Project Will Allow Farmers Access to More Money

The Project Coordinator, IITA-CFC West Africa, Prof. Sanni Lateef said that the project, which seeks to diversify and make more products from cassava, will allow farmers access to more money.

“Our project beneficiaries now have the opportunity to process quality cassava products and make more money. We call on the beneficiaries to jealously monitor and to tap the enormous potential of the enterprises,” he stated.

 According to Lateef, IITA, the Food and Agriculture Organization, SLARI and other partners will continue to train stakeholders in areas such as effective hygienic practices, equipment maintenance, and enterprise management in order to ensure that beneficiaries get sustainable income and nutritious foods.

About IITA

“IITA Africa has complex problems that plague agriculture and people’s lives. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty. Our award winning research for development (R4D) is based on focused, authoritative thinking anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa,” he added

He said that IITA works with partners in Africa and beyond to reduce producer and consumer risks, enhance crop quality and productivity, and also generate wealth from agriculture. “IITA is an international non-profit R4D organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the CGIAR.”

For more information on IITA, log on to their website: www.iita.org